Extensible passage apparatus

ABSTRACT

An extensible passage apparatus which is nested in a cavity formed between the floor of a selected storey and the ceiling of another storey right below the selected storey in a multi-storied building when the passage apparatus is not used and which can extends downwardly to or adjacent to the floor of the lower storey in case of emergency so as to provide an evacuation passage connecting the two stories involved along which occupants in the building can safely and promptly evacuate from the upper storey to the lower storey or vice versa. The extensible passage apparatus comprises a passage forming means which provides a temporary evacuation exit in a cavity connecting adjacent upper and lower stories in a multi-storied building along which occupants in the building can evacuate from one storey to the other stories in the building. The passage forming means essentially comprises a plurality telescopically connected cylinder elements each having a plate member associated therewith and the cylinder element units are received in the nested position in a cavity formed between the floor of a selected storey and the ceiling of another storey right below the selected storey in a multi-storied building when the passage apparatus is not used. When the passage apparatus is used in case of emergency, for example, the cylinder element units are allowed to slide relative to each other so as to extend downwardly to or adjacent to the floor of the lower storey.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,894,614 Naka July 15, 1975 i 1 EXTENSIBLE PASSAGE APPARATUS {57] ABSTRACT lnvemoli flil'omilsu Nflka, v 0820 An extensible passage apparatus which is nested in a Shlnmachl. Yashlo, Japan cavity formed between the floor of a selected storey [22] Filed: N 26 1973 and the ceiling of another storey right below the selected storey in a multi-storied building when the pas PP' 419,197 sage apparatus is not used and which can extends downwardly to or adjacent to the floor of the lower [30] Foreign Application Prior), Dam storey in case of emergency so as to provide an evacuation passage connecting the two stories involved 1972 Japan 47421160 along which occupants in the building can safely and 3' promptly evacuate from the upper storey to the lower Oct 22, 1973 Japan .1 481 17857 storey or me Oct. 22. 1973 Japan 48121686 The extensible Passage apparatus comprises a Passage forming means which provides a temporary 52 us. c1. 182/78; l82/8l; 182/100; evacuation exit in a cavity Connecting adjacent upper 132/195; 52/187 and lower stories in a multi-storied building along [51} Int. Cl. E06c 9/08 which Occupants in the building evacuate from [S8] i m of Search V V gz oo 195 48 47 77 one storey (O the other stories in the building. Tllfi 182/78 I28, 3] 207; 52/187 passage forming means essentially comprises a plurality telescopically connected cylinder elements [56] References Cited each having a plate member associated therewith and UNITED STATES PATENTS the cylinder element units are received in the nested position in a cavity formed between the floor of a 236-348 M881 M'ckcy 182/147 selected storey and the ceiling of another storey right :33 below the selected storey in a multi-storied building 2965593 [5/1960 'f: l 82/100 when the passage apparatus is not used. When the F g V I I V passage apparatus Is used In Case of emergency, for 324L634 3/1966 prosser H 132/123 example, the cylinder element units are allowed to 3.768.593 10/1973 Naka 182/77 slide relative to each other so as to extend Primary E.ran11'nvrReinaldo P1 Machado Artur/1e Agent. or Firm\/Venderoth, Lind & Ponack downwardly to or adjacent to the floor of the lower Storey 9 Claims, Drawing Figures O0 52 5O IOZ 54 61 l m I l 1 -J, I 79 W P ENTEMJL 15 m"- 3,89 ,514

w r I SHEET ATEN 0.1m 15 I975 Fig. /O

EXTENSIBLE PASSAGE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an extensible passage apparatus and more particularly. to an extensible passage apparatus which is received in its nested position between the floor of a selected storey and the ceiling of another storey right below the selected storey in a multi-storied building when the apparatus is not used. When the apparatus is to be used for its intended purpose. for example. in case of emergency. the apparatus is extended to or adjacent the floor of the lower storey so as to provide a temporary evacuation passage along which occupants in the building can evacuate from the upper storey to the lower storey or vice versa and then to a safer place.

Hithertofore. various types of emergency evacuation facilities such as emergency staircases evacuation bags. evacuation chutes. evacuation ladders. slow dropping devices and mats. for example. have been proposed and actually employed. However. most of these prior art emergency evacuation facilities are provided on one side ofa building. for example. at areas adjacent the windows and/or outer walls of the building so that occupants in the building can evacuate from within the building to outdoors. Therefore. in case of emergency. occupants working in places remote from the windows in the building could not promptly gain access to the emergency evacuation facilities. Furthermore. it is not easy to handle the prior art emergency evacuation facilities for persons having no or poor knowledge in the use of such facilities. And if occupants in a building have had no or little training in the use of the emergency evacuation facilities. in an emergency. they will consume a lot of valuable time fumbling with the facilities. In case of an emergency. many persons rush to the emergency evacuation facilities all at once thereby causing confusion and thereby rendering it more difficult to evacuate them safely and promptly.

Furthermore. the prior art emergency evacuation facilities generally can handle only a small number of persons and the use of such facilities is especially difficult or impossible for women. children and aged persons. For other people, too. the use of such facilities is not easy and involves various problems including fear. terror and the like. Thus. the prior art emergency evacuation facilities have inevitably imposed a restriction on safe and prompt evacuation of people in cases of emergency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore. the present invention is to provide an extensible passage apparatus for use as an emergency evacuation facility which comprises as its essential components a cavity which connects the floor of a selected storey with the ceiling of another storey positioned right below the selected storey in a multi-storied building. a pair of cover members adapted to close and open an opening in the floor of the upper or selected storey and an opening in the ceiling of the lower storey, respectively. and a telescopic passage forming means adapted to be received in a nested position in the cavity when the passage apparatus is not used and extend downwardly to or adjacent to the floor of the lower storey when the passage apparatus is used for its intended purposes.

One feature of the present invention is that the passage forming means comprises a plurality of cylinder elements telescopically connected to each other for relative movement. each having a plate member secured thereto. When the passage forming means is used. the cylinder elements are allowed to slide relative to each other in the downwardly extension direction together with their associated plate members. whereby the cylinder elements and plate members cooperate with each other in providing a temporary evacuation spiral staircase. spiral chute or ladder.

Thus. one principal object of the present invention is to provide an extensible passage apparatus which can be readily operated and enables occupants in a building to move safely and promptly from one storey to another storey in the building in case of an emergency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extensible passage apparatus which is received in a nested condition between the floor of a selected storey and the ceiling of another storey right below the selected storey in a muIti-storied building when the passage apparatus is not used and when the apparatus is used. the apparatus is allowed to extend downwardly to or adjacent to the floor ofthe lower storey so that occu pants in the building can move from the upper storey to the lower storey or vice versa.

Another object ofthe present invention is to provide an extensible passage apparatus which. when used for its intended purpose. enables persons to move from a storey where a relatively larger number of person are present per unit time to another storey where a relatively smaller number of persons are present per unit time in a building.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extensible passage apparatus which can be easily and readily used by women. children and aged people.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extensible passage apparatus which when used for its intended purpose. enables many persons to evacuate safely and promptly without fear.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extensible passage apparatus which can be readily installed on a mezzanine floor and veranda as well as within a building.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extensible passage apparatus which when used in case of an emergency such as a tire. the apparatus effectively protects occupants in a building where the apparatus is installed against smoke. hot air and the like to thereby protect the occupants from suffocation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extensible passage apparatus which can be used as a simple temporary staircase on a mezzanine and veranda other than as an emergency evacuation means in case of a lire.

The above and other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments of the invention for illustration purpose only. but not for limiting the scope of the same in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. IA is a vertical sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention showing the embodiment in its nested position between the floor of a selected ill-.13 o'i unolln r Mo in n multwtorictl i i rngrliun lir sclicnrr c-J in wi l c cnicnls c shorting li c e l'lti, Z is v ill nherits in thcir m o'stietl l? raw-rmerrtnry nu'spccti" in get! scn v rim-n ing some oi'thc .i'rerr assoc" .2 footlionrtis in mm cu llti .r n

lmtlirnent o "vertical scctwnnl lien ml 2*- ecnnd cmpr'csent invcntion s'zrowii Y tin: twnodi iztenfi in its ncsfvtl position lnztwccn ilk floor ol 2: so lectetl storm ind the ceiling of rinothtrr store; r ght lwclow the L lip.

Flir. 4 is l; icril sectional \icw of n ihirrl mnliocli merit of the p escnt invention shun i n; tlwv ennwuirnent in its ncstcti position hctnccn thc limit of n striccted storc and tin ceiling of another storey right heiow the sclcctetl stw' in l: rnulii-storieri htrililing;

Fit). 5 is r erticul sectional \lEW show. ing my one of the cmbcdirncnts shown in FlGS 1A to -3 inclusive in its Utdl'ttltlt or extended position togetlror with hoist ing up the cylinrlcr elements cinplryeti in muons for tlrc Clllllt tlit HG rnent ol the prcsent invention show. ng. lit; cm nnlintent in its nesttxl l itlS. in. j

ii is ll 2 "l iectionnl \ren or a: l l l 'lll cwi idintion in the some miinrttr 21: F'iJl'ltt in ellrcl -5 l is a crtictll icttirntul rick slut-0.:

a the cor hotlinicnt l 1%}. (i in lla opemlixt: or wicrnletl position with portions t'ncreul broken mm HO. 8 n mp plan vicu of thc staireis i'ornreii h) the cylintlc" lcments and their associated ft-o'tl onrds in the en lnnlimcnt of Fltiv 7 't -llcn extcnricrl l lti 9 is :1 vertical secti nal -'lt'\'- of Ll ii n trnliotlinicnt oi the present invention showing th'? cntrwlimcnt in its ncstetl position in. the sonic manner its sln an in HUS. lA. 3.. 4 and (i inclnsiwc;

H H is it top plan \icn of the Cfllhl Llll'flllll of PK 3 slroniny tlic lloor cover in its open position tli por tion tircrcof mxlltcn awn llt'j. Pi. l.\ v icrticnl Sectional lien i thc can otiirncnt til Hti. 9 shinning the Anne in its opcrn lte or e. tsntlecl positron,

Flii. l2 ls, .l icrticril SC'JIlt tliil iisw l- .1 si ll'. mnliotlimum of thc prcsent in ention SllUWiHt. n; cmlmtliinent in its opefltnc or cstcnticti positirm;

Ht} I3 is it \crticnl secti-xinnl vim ill it smooth cmhouinteiit ot'tiic prescnt invention Show ing: thc cnihotli rncnt in its opcrutivc or cxtcndctl position in the some manner HS shonn in FlliS. EA. 3. 1,. t1. 9 mil l2 inclusinc,

FlG l-i 1s ll l'rngrncntnr ptrrspcctin; i wl' A l enlnrgstl scale showing one of the c viniclcr elcmcirts eniployed in tlic embodiment of Flti. l3 topctl'rcv with the chute forming plate USSUCliLlSLl \iith the cylinder clellrCllli oi llrc prescnt int:- merit in it operative or txtcntlstl 3 o lhsrcof molten mun:

YES. i? is 3 ertical scczionnl w til a mo" a form ng; means to he srlcttncly wnplr n ionul view of the embodi- "i anti-swing means.

DETAELFJ') DESfRWTlfJN OF THE lNVhNTlON The prcscnt intuition "A ill bc now described referring to thc accompanying drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1A. .8 anti thereof which shows a first cmho'tliment of extensi le puss-age apparatus constructed in accordance with titc present invention. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the extensible passage apparatus 50 is shown in its nested position between the floor of an upper storey and the ceiling of lower storey right bclow the upper storey in a niuiti-storicd building. The floor 30 of thc up er store; is provided with a floor surface opening M at imth the upper and lower ends and :1 rsinforcing cylindrical frumcuork 32 is snugly fitted in the opening 31 in a coaxial relationship to the latter. The rcinlorcing framework 32 has at the upper end an integral :lnnuirn flange 33 c'xtcntling radially and out wurdly from the ripper curl [or covering and reinforcing the nren a l" the floor 3'!) about the opening 3i and the flangc is formed with an annular recess 34 in a coaxial relationship to the framework 32. Similarly, the ceiling 40 of the lower storey is formed with a ceiling surface opening 4i in alignment with the opening 3 in the upper store floor 30. A reinforcing cylindrical frame-- work 42 is; snugly litterl in the opening 41 in a coaxial relationship to the latter and has integral annular lhngcs 43 and 44 extcnding radially and outwardly and inn urtlly from thc rower nnd upper ends of the framework. respectively. 'Fhc llungcs 43 and 44 are integrally connectccl to elicit other by the vertical wall of the framework 42.

Since tllc lloor Ell lllltl ceiling 41) are spaccd from each othcr. u unity it connected between the two storcies is tlefincrl h a space prcscnt hetwcen the floor SUTfilCC opening 31, culling surface opcning41. floor 38 and culling Ml.

When the paisszrge nppnrntus is not used for its in tenrletl pm'posc. the tloor surfacc opening 31 is closed by :1 floor sitlc cover 52 which has one end pivot-ably conncctetl to thc flange 33 of thc reinforcing cylindrical framework 3.1 for vcrticol pivotal movement by means of u hinge 53 which is in turn secured to the flange 33. he otlicr end of the Floor sitlc cover 52 is discngzrgczihl t heltl in position by a holding member 56 which is in turn pirotcd. to 'thc flange 33 of the reinforcing framework 32 lizr lutcral pi otal movement in a lior'izzrntnl direction The coiling opening '3: is closed or opened by u. ceiling sidc cot cr 5i till, nrnlil connected at one cmil to the ilungfi of li":CZ rcnllorciin lrmrrcwork 42 for vertical pivotal mo cnient h means of a hinge which is in turn secured to inc llonfle -33.

lite otncr cm! of 131-; ceiling SlLlC cmcr 54 is opcrzn tivcly colinc; cal to IIl irnerlocliing and releasing mach anisrn in J m o n hicit descriptl or will cc mails hereinafter. The opening and closing opcrntion of the interlocking and releasing means 70 of course. response to the opening and closing operation of the tloor side cover 52.

Provided between the floor surface opening 3!, floor 30 and ceiling 40 is a telescopic passage forming means 60 which comprises a plurality of telescopically connected cylinder elements 6i (ten cylinder elements are employed in the illustrated embodiment) The innermost or uppermost cylinder element having the smallest diameter includes a suspension hook 62 of a ls'naped cross section as seen in the vertical direction which engages the inner surface of the reinforcing cylindrical framework 32 with the bent upper end fitted in the annular recess 34 in the flange 33. Each of the cylinder elements 61 has an upwardly bent hoolt 63 of J'shaped cross section at the lower end and a down wardly hent book 64 of .Lshaped cross section at the upper end and the lower end hook 63 of each cylinder element bl is adapted to engage the upper end book 64 of the adjacent outer cylinder element while the upper end hook 64 of each cylinder element is adapted to engage the lower end hook 63 otthe adjacent inner cylinder element. Thus. when the passage forming means 60 is allowed to extend downwardly to its predetermined maximum extent as shown with the or|e dot chain line in HQ. 13. the hooks 63 and 64 of the cylinder elenrentstsl engage each other in the manner as shown in HQ. 2 in which the mating lower and upper hooks 63 and 64 of the adjacent cylinder elements engage each other.

Each of the cylinder elements 61 also has a foothoard 65 extending radially and inwardly of the cylinder element at the bottom and the t'ootboard is secured to the inner surface of the associated cylinder element in a cantilever fashion. The foothoard 65 of each cylinder element 61 is offsettcd with respect to those of the adjacent cylinder elements. Thus when the passage forming means 60 is allowed to extend to the position as shown with the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1B. the footboards 65 of the cylinder elements 6| cooperate with each other to provide a spiral staircase. For this purpose. each of the footboards 65 has a substantially triangular shape with the pointed apex or free end 66 extending beyond the center or axis of the associated cylinder element. The apex 66 of the triangular footboard has a circular through hole 67 through which a rope (not shown) which pulls up or retracts the cylinder elements 61 extends.

The innermost cylinder element has the aforementioned interlocking and releasing mechanism 70 attached thereto. The interlocking and releasing mechanism 70 is positioned within the reinforcing framework 42 and so designed that when the floor cover 52 is pivoted from its open position to its closing position with respect to the floor surface opening 31, the ceiling side cover 54 is pivoted from its open position to its closing position with respect to the ceiling surface opening 41 in response to the closing movement of the floor side cover 52. As more clearly shown in FIG. 1A, the interlocking and releasing mechanism 70 comprises a retainer cylinder 71 having a length for limiting the closing position of the covers 52 and S4 and secured to the inner surface of the innermost cylinder element 61, an operation rod 72 extending vertically within and held in the retainer cylinder 71, a spring 73 positioned within the retainer cylinder 71 so as to urge the operation rod 72 upwardly with respect to the retainer cylinto more. a ring 77 is provided with the retainer cylinder 71 adjacent the upper end thereof for guiding the oper ation rod 72 tlierethrough The operation rod 72 has an integral annular t'langc 78 at the lower end against which the spring abuts Thus. the spring 73 is positioned about the operation rod 72 lictncen the bottom wall and annular flange '78.

Assuming that a tire occurs in the upper store; with the passage apparatus is in its nested condition a shown in FIG. IA. the holding member 56 is manually pivoted in the horizontal direction for releasing its holding force on the floor side cover 52 and the cover is then pivoted about the hinge 55 to a St|l\'-;l;ttlltttll} vertical position to thercliy uncover the lloor surface opening 31. As the com-r $2 is pivoted in the opening uncovering direction. the upper end of the operation rod 72 is released from the holding force applivd thereon by the enter 51 whereupon the sprin which is now comprcsscd l' ctnccn the lmtlom wall and annular flange 7?; is allowed to estend to ihcrc y push the operation rod 72 upwardly. Simnltancouslv. the operation rod 72 is disengaged from the retainer 71 to thereby pivot the ceiling cot er 54 about the hinge 5. to a substantially vertical position with respect to the ceiling 40. When the cover 54 is pivoted in the opening uncovering direction as described hereinahove. the ct li nder elements 61 slide downwardly relative to rxtltllt other by their own weight to the one'dot chain position as shown in FlGr iii to cstcnd the passage forming means 60. in the extended position ofthc passage 'urrn ing means 60, the bottom of the lowermost cylinder clement of these cylinder elements is positioned slightly spaced above the lloor 7) of the lower storey so that occupants in the building can conveniently and safely clear the passage forming meansv In this way the occupants can move from the upper storey to the lower sto rey by way of the spiral staircase formed by the cylinder elements 61 and their foothoards 65 in order that the occupants may readily and safely clear the passage forming means 60, the lowermost and adjacent uppe 'cylinder elements are provided with evacuation win dows or doored evacuation exits (not siiown lw rcspcv tively and the ct acuation windows in the two particular cylinder elements are adapted to align with each other when the passage forming means 60 extends to its pra determined maximum extent.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show two types of modifications c passage forming means shown in FIGS. lit. H5 and and the modified passage forming means are shown with numerals 5th: and 50h in FIGS. 3 and l. resptc tively. The occupants of the modified passage forming means 50a and 50h are substantially similar to the cor responding components except that the interl cking and releasing mechanism and the lowermost cylinder element is adapted to contact the floor of the lower Stirrey when the associated passzi e forming me lowed to extend to its predetermined maximum EItiLT The other components of the modified passage form.

means are substantially identical with the corresponding components of the afore-mentioned passage forming means in construction and operation and accordingly, the components of the modified passage forming means corresponding to those of the afore-mcntioned passage forming means are assigned the same numerals thereto in FIGS. 3 and 4 as those for the parts of the afore-mentioned means and description of these corresponding parts will be eliminated herein for simplificzu tion purpose.

In FIG 3. the interlocking and releasing mechanism 80 associated with the passage forming means 501: comprises as its principal components a suspension rod 81 having the upper end secured to the inner surface of the floor side cover 52 and a locking member 82 secured at the lower end to the inner surface of the ceiling side cover 54 and the upper end engaging the lower end of the suspension rod 81. The locking member 82 may be in the form of a catch. latch or the like member. for example.

The upper end of the suspension rod 81 is pivoted to a pin 84 supported in a block 83 which is in turn welded to the inner surface of the cover 52 and the lower end of the suspension rod has an engaging piece 85 secured thereto to be engaged by the locking member 82 for holding the cover 54 in its closed position.

Assuming that the floor side cover 52 is pivoted about the hinge 53 from the closed position as shown in FIG. 3 to the open position. the engaging piece 85 at the lower end of the suspension rod 81 is disengaged from the locking member 82 whereupon the now closed ceiling side cover 54 is pivoted about the hinge 55 from the closed position to the open position in which the cover 54 is suspended substantially at a vertical position with respect to the ceiling. As the ceiling side cover 54 is opened. the cylinder elements 61 of the passage forming means 60 are allowed to slide down wardly relative to each other by their own weight until the passage forming means 60 extends to its maximum extent in which the lowermost cylinder element 61 contacts the floor of the lower storey (not shown). As mentioned hereinabove, the lowermost and adjacent cylinder elements are also provided with evacuation windows and the like which are adapted to align with each other when the passage forming means has extended to its maximum extent. Furthermore. the lowermost cylinder element has shock absorbing annular rubber members 68 at the under surface thereof which are adapted to absorb shock which may occur when the lowermost cylinder element contacts the lower storey floor.

In FIG. 4. the interlocking and releasing mechanism 90 associated with the passage forming means 50h comprises as its principal components an operation lever 91 pivoted at the upper end to the inner surface of the innermost or uppermost cylinder element 61 and a hook 92 secured to the inner surface of the ceiling side cover 54 for engaging the mating hook-shaped lower end of the operation lever 91. The operation lever 91 includes an upper lever portion 910 extending upwardly from a pivot pin 94 toward the cover 52 and an integral lower lever portion 91b extending downwardly from the pin 94 toward the cover 54 at an angle with respect to the upper lever portion 91a. When the passage forming means 50a is in its nested condition as shown in FIG. 4. the upper lever portion 91a is posi tioned at an angle with respect to the vertical and the lower lever portion 91b is positioned substantially vertically. Rotatably supported at the extreme upper end of the operation lever 91 is a roller 95 which is in rolling contact with the inner surface of the cover 52 and a spring 96 extends between the upper lever portion 91a and the inner surface of the uppermost cylinder ele merit 61 for normally urging the lever 91 toward the cylinder element.

Thus. assuming that the cover 52 is pivoted about the it) hinge 53 from the closed position as shown in FIG. 4 to the open position, the operation lever 91 is pivoted about the pin 94 in the counter-clock direction as seen in FIG. 4 under the action of the spring 95 to thereby disengage the hooked lower end 92 from the mating l5 hook 93 whereupon the now horizontal open cover 54 is allowed to pivot about the hinge 55 to the suspended position to thereby open the ceiling surface opening 41. As the cover 54 is pivoted to the suspended position, the cylinder elements 61 of the passage forming means 60 are allowed to slide downwardly relative to each other until the passage forming means is extended to its predetermined maximum extent whereupon the lowermost cylinder element contacts the floor of the lower storey (not shown). As in the case of the passage forming means a of FIG. 3, the lowermost cylinder element in the passage forming means 50b is also provided on the under surface thereof with annular shock absorbing rubber members 68.

FIG. 5 especially shows the details of a hoist mechanism together with the components of the passage apparatus associated with the hoist mechanism and the hoist mechanism is adapted to return or pull up each of the afore-mentioned passage forming means 50, 50a and 50h from its extended position to the nested position as shown in FIGS. 1A. 1B. 3 and 4, respectively. In FIG. 5, the components of the passage apparatus which are not necessary in describing the hoist mechanism are not shown and accordingly, description of such unnecessary components will be eliminated herein.

The hoist mechanism 100 comprises as its principal components a winch drum 102 rotatably mounted on a mounting frame 101 which is in turn fixedly mounted on the inner surface of the uppermost cylinder element 61 and having a handle 103, and a hoist rope 104 having one end fixedly secured to the drum 102 and the other end extending through holes 67 in the footboards 65 of the successive cylinder elements 61 and secured to the hole in the stair forming plate of the lowermost cylinder element. Thus, in order to nestle or store the passage forming means 50, 500 or 50b in the position as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3 and 4, respectively, after the passage means has been extended as the result of as the opening of the floor and ceiling side covers 52 and 54. for example. after an evacuation practice or actual evacuation operation or for nesting or storing after an inspection for function, the winch drum 102 is first rotated by the handle 103 in the direction for winding the hoist rope 104 onto the drum so as to nestle the successive lower cylinder elements 61 in succession. In order to prevent the winch drum 102 from rotating in the rope paying-out direction after the rope has been wound thereon under the weight of the cylinder elements 61, the winch drum is preferably provided with a detent (not shown). Furthermore, the cylinder elements 61 are preferably provided with mating engaging projections (not shown) on the inner surface of the cylinder elements so that when the cylinder elements 61 are pulled up by the hoist mechanism 100, in each two adjacent cylinder elements which slide relative to each other. the upper cylinder element can be positively pulled up by the lower cylinder element. Of course. since the cylinder elements 61 are provided with their respective stair forming plates 65, such projections may be eliminated if desired.

The hoist mechanism 100 is not necessarily provided within the passage forming means 60 as shown in FIG. 5, but may be provided outside of the passage. In such a case. forming means within the winch drum 102 of the hoist mechanism 100 is rotatably mounted on a mounting frame on the under surface of the floor of the upper storey adjacent one side of the uppermost cylinder element 61 and a pulley (not shown) is rotatably mounted on another frame on the under surface of the ceiling of the lower storey on the other side of the uppermost cylinder element in cooperative relationship to the winch drum 102. One end of each of two pull ropes is anchored to the winch drum and the other end of one of the two ropes is anchored to the outside of the lowermost cylinder element while the other end of the other rope is passed over the pulley and anchored to the outside of the lowermost cylinder element. Of course, the anchoring position of the other end of the other rope with respect to the outside of the lowermost cylinder element is preferably symmetrical with the anchoring position of the other end of the one rope.

FIGS. 6 to 8 inclusive show a fourth embodiment of passage apparatus of the present invention and the passage apparatus 50(' of these Figures is substantially similar to the afore-mentioned passage apparatus 50, 50a and 50b of FIGS. 1 to 5 inclusive except for the passage forming means. Thus, the remaining components of the passage apparatus corresponding to those of the aforementioned embodiments are assigned the same numerals as those assigned to the corresponding components of the afore-mentioned embodiments and description will be made of only the components necessary for understanding the modified passage forming means.

The passage forming means 110 of the passage apparatus 500 is positioned coaxial with a hollow casing defining a cavity 51 which communicate between the floor side opening 31 of the upper storey and the ceiling side opening 41 of the lower storey both of which openings are also coaxial with the cavity 51. In the nested position, the passage forming means 110 is received within the casing 35.

The passage forming means 110 comprises as its principal components eight cylinder elements 112 which are telescopically connected together for slidable movement relative to each other and adapted to form a support column 113 when the cylinder elements are allowed to extend to their predetermined maximum ex tent footboards 113 extending radially and outwardly from their associated cylinder elements adjacent the bottoms thereof in an offset relationship to each other, suspension members 114 anchored at the lower ends to their respectively associated footboards 113 at suitable points of the footboards for suspending the cylinder element and plate units when they extend. The suspension members may be in the form of a chain or rope.

The outermost or uppermost cylinder element of the plural support column forming cylinder elements 112 is secured to the inner surface of the casing 35 by means ofa support arm extending horizontally between the casing and upermost cylinder element.

The mutual relationship between the eight cylinder elements wil be understood from the showing of FIGS. 6 and 7. That is. in each two adjacent upper and lower cylinder elements. the lower cylinder element is telescoped within the upper cylinder element for relative sliding movement therebetween. Thus. it will be noted that the uppermost or outermost cylinder element has the largest diameter, the successive lower cylinder elements have successively reduced diameters and the lowermost cylinder element has the smallest diameter. In use. the cylinder elements 112 are allowed to extend downwardly to their predetermined maximum extent by their own weight so as to form the support column 111 for supporting the passage apparatus. For the purpose, the cylinder elements are preferably formed with communication holes (not shown) which open to the atmosphere. The upper ends of the suspension members 114 are anchored to the inner surface of the top edge of casing 35.

Now assuming that the passage apparatus 50- is in its nested position as shown in FIG. 6 and the occupants are expected to evacuate from the upper storey to the lower storey. the floor side cover 52 is first manually pivoted to the open position. In response to the pivotal movement of the cover 52 in the opening direction. the interlocking and releasing mechanism (not shown) similar to those for the embodiments shown in FIGS. IA. 18. 3 and 4 is actuated to pivot the ceiling side cover 54in the opening direction. As a result. the cylinder elements 112 are allowed to slide downwardly relative to each other by their own weight until the lower end of the lowermost cylinder element contacts the floor 79 of the lower storey to thereby form the support column 111 for the passage apparatus. In the extended position of the cylinder elements 112, the footboards I13 associated with the cylinder elements form a spiral staircase about the support column 111. Thus. the occupants of the building can move from the upper storey to the lower storey via the passage forming means 110.

FIGS. 9 to 11 inclusive show a fifth embodiment of passage apparatus of the invention and the passage apparatus 50d is shown in its nested or inoperative position in a cavity 51a defined by a horizontal partition well member 39 integrally formed with the floor of a selected storey and the ceiling of a storey right below the selected or upper storey in FIG. 9. The passage apparatus 50d is substantially identical with the aforementioned embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8 inclusive except that the cavity 51a including the floor side opening and the ceiling side opening has a rectangular shape in cross-section and accordingly. the floor side cover 52a and ceiling side cover 54:: also have the corresponding rectangular shape in cross-section. Furthermore. the passage apparatus of FIGS. 9 to 11 inclusive are different from the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8 inclusive in the attaching position of the footboards on the cylinder elements of the passage forming means and the mounting position of the passage forming means within the cavity. The construction and operation of the remaining components of the passage apparatus 500 are identical with the corresponding components of the embodiments of FIGS. 1A to 8 inclusive and accordingly. only such components necessary for understanding the embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 11 inclusive are shown and will be described herein. Thus, the components of the 

1. A passage apparatus adapted to be contained in a passageway between the floor of one story of a building and the ceiling of the story immediately therebelow for passage between the two stories, said apparatus comprising: a first cover for covering the opening in the floor of the upper story leading to said passageway; a second cover for covering the other end of said passageway opening through the ceiling of the lower story in line with said first cover covering the opening in the floor above; and extensible passage means between said covers comprised of a single set of a plurality of cylindrical elements telescoped one within the other slidably movable relative to each other for telescoping downward from a nested position between said covers to the floor below and plate members attached to and projecting from the wall of each cylindrical element whereby physical movement up and down said passage means is facilitated.
 2. A passage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the innermost cylindrical element of said plurality of cylindrical elements in the extensible passage means has an inner diameter sufficient to allow a single person to pass therethrough, and wherein said plate meMbers are in the form of footboards secured to the inner wall of the respective cylindrical elements, the plate member of each cylindrical element being offset with respect to the plate members of the adjacent cylindrical elements, for forming a spiral staircase when the extensible passage means extends downwardly to its predetermined maximum extent.
 3. A passage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cylindrical elements, when fully extended, cooperate with each other to form a support column for said passage apparatus and wherein said plate members are in the form of footboards secured to the outer wall of said cylindrical elements, the plate member of each cylindrical element being offset with respect to the plate members of the adjacent cylinder elements, for forming a spiral staircase when the passage forming means extends downwardly to its predetermined maximum extent.
 4. A passage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the innermost cylindrical element of said telescopically connected cylindrical elements in the extensible passage means has an inner diameter sufficient to allow a single person to pass therethrough, and wherein said plate members are in the form of footboards secured to the inner wall of the cylindrical elements, the plate member of each cylindrical element being offset with respect to the plate members of the adjacent cylindrical elements for forming a ladder when said passage forming means extends downwardly.
 5. A passage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical elements of the extensible passage means have diameters such that when the passage means extends downwardly, the cylindrical elements cooperate with each other to form a support column for said passage apparatus, and wherein said plate members are in the form of footboards secured to the outer wall of said cylindrical elements in such a manner that when said passage forming means extends downwardly the plate members cooperate with each other to provide alternate left and right footboards, thereby forming a ladder.
 6. A passage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the innermost cylindrical element of said telescopically connected cylindrical elements in the extensible passage means has an inner diameter sufficient to allow a single person to pass therethrough, and wherein said plate members are in the form of chute plates secured to the inner wall of the cylindrical elements with the plate member of each cylindrical element being offset with respect to the plate members of the adjacent cylindrical elements for forming a spiral chute when said passage means extends downwardly,
 7. A passage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical elements, when fully extended, cooperate with each other to form a support column for said passage apparatus; said plate members are the form of chute plates secured to the outer wall of said set of cylindrical elements, with the plate member of each cylindrical element being offset with respect to the plate members of the adjacent cylindrical elements, thereby forming a spiral chute when said extensible passage means extends downwardly; and said apparatus further comprised of a second set of telescopically connected cylindrical elements coaxial with and surrounding said first-mentioned set of cylindrical elements for forming an extensible outer cylinder around said first-mentioned set of cylindrical elements and having a radius sufficiently large enough to allow a single person to pass between said second set of cylindrical elements and said first-mentioned set of cylindrical elements when both sets of cylindrical elements are extended.
 8. A passage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a protective cylinder of resilient and fire-resisting material for surrounding the extensible passage means in a coaxially spaced relationship therewith, thereby protecting persons passing along the passage means from smoke and hot air when said passage apparatus is in its operative position.
 9. A passage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said extensible passage means is further comprised of an anti-swing means located at the lower end thereof for contacting the floor of the lower story or the ground and for holding the passage means in position when the passage means is extended downwardly. 